My first computer didn't have a HDD, or not that I can recall... used the good ol' 5 1/4 floppy, didn't even have a 3 1/2! my first real computer *i.e. one I could use to get on the net* was an iMac, the old bubble ones you still see around once in a while *CRT with the mobo inside it*
On topic... I have WD everything, like seagate and Maxtor, but now I know why you can't find them. my next drive will be an OCZ to be part of that club
My first personal desktop had a 10gb WD IDE drive but since then most of my mechanical drives have been Samsungs with a Seagate or two in between them.
If I had to pick a favorite drive manufacturer it would have to be OCZ/Indilinx.